April Is Distracted Driving Awareness Month: How Do YOU Reduce Distractions? Tips To Avoid Distractions!

Schmidt Kramer, P.C. and the Insurance Information Institutewant you and your loved ones to be safe while driving on Pennsylvania roads. April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. In an effort to pass along safety tips, below are safety tips to reduce distractions on the road from the Insurance Information Institute.

"Have you ever texted, spoken on the phone, changed radio stations, or even turned around to talk to passengers while driving? If so, you may be exposing yourself, your passengers, and anybody else on the road to harm. Driver distractions such as these accounted for 10 percent of all fatal crashes, 18 percent of injury crashes and 16 percent of all motor vehicle crashes in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

And of these hazards, cellphones and text messaging were the most common cause of accidents. However, other common habits, such as using a vehicle navigation system, eating and drinking, reading a map, grooming yourself, or even having a phone conversation using a hands-free device can be hazardous, too.

Employers May Be Held Liable

Not only is distracted driving dangerous for individuals, but there is a growing concern among business owners and managers that they may be held liable for accidents caused by their employees while driving and conducting work-related conversations on cellphones. Under the doctrine of “vicarious responsibility,” employers may be held legally accountable for the negligent acts of employees committed in the course of employment. Employers may also be found negligent if they fail to put in place a policy for the safe use of cellphones.

Tips For Safer Travel

Keep these safety tips in mind when driving:

Pull Off the Road – Don’t drive while calling or texting; pull off the road to a safe location.

Use Voice-Activated Dialing– If you must dial from the road, program frequently called numbers and your local emergency number into your phone and use voice-activated dialing.

Never Dial While Driving– If you must dial manually, do so only when stopped or have a passenger dial for you.

Know When to Stop Talking– If you must make or receive a call while driving, keep conversations on brief so you can concentrate on your driving. If a long discussion is required or if the topic is stressful or emotional, end the conversation and continue it once you are off the road.

Don’t Take Notes While Driving– If you need to write something down, use an audio recorder or pull off the road.

Know Where You’re Going – Study the route before you leave or have a passenger read the map. And if you’re using a navigation system, program in your destination before you start driving and use the audio setting to avoid having to look at the screen for directions.

Don’t Eat or Drink While Driving– Eating takes both your hand off the wheel and your eyes off the road, so don’t do it. Furthermore, spills can easily cause an accident. If you have to stop short, you could also be severely burned.

Groom Yourself At Home– Shaving, putting on makeup, combing your hair or other forms of preening are distractions and should be done at home, not while driving.

While everyone should follow these rules, it is particularly important to review them carefully with teen drivers. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year olds, and in 2012, 10 percent of all drivers in that age group involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time of the crash, according to NHTSA. Talk to your teen about safe driving habits and, most importantly, model good behavior on the road. And for more information on distracted driving, see our Distracted Driving backgrounder."

Why Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer?

From bruises, cuts, and broken bones to traumatic brain injuries, the damages that can result from a car accident can be severe and life-changing. The last thing you need is the trucking company who’s responsible for your injuries to deny you the compensation you’re owed. That’s why you need our professional and experienced Harrisburg car accident lawyers on your side.

At Schmidt Kramer, we stand up to insurance companies that refuse to play fair. We know what you’ve been through and we know what you deserve.

Free Consultation

When you’ve been seriously injured, you have questions—turn to Schmidt Kramer, P.C. and speak with our injury lawyers today. Our Pennsylvania car and truck accident lawyers will walk you through the legal process and get you back on your feet. Call 8 at 717-888-8888 or toll free at (888) 476-0807 or fill out a free online consultation form.

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Recent Results click below to expand

Gerry Kramer won a personal injury action for $10,043,952.13 in Northumberland County on behalf of a volunteer firefighter who was the victim of Intentional Tort. The 50-year-old volunteer firefighter was seriously injured when a barn collapsed, causing a spinal injury which left him a paraplegic. The claim was brought against the arsonist who intentionally started the fire. It is believed that the verdict is the highest ever in Northumberland County.

A couple from New Berlin, Pennsylvania was awarded over $4,000,000 because the husband was shot while turkey hunting. The 51 year old client lost his sight because a convicted felon - who should not have even possessed a gun - went hunting illegally, and broke with impunity the most fundamental rule in hunting: identify your target before you pull the trigger.

Scott Cooper obtained a verdict on behalf of his client who is the widow of a man who died in a crash on Interstate 78 in Lebanon County. The awarded verdict of $2.2 million was in a nonjury proceeding before a federal judge in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. That verdict includes $100,000 in punitive damages assessed against the owner of the trucking company.

Scott Cooper settled a wrongful death case on behalf of the widow of a police office who was killed in a car accident in the line of duty for $1,024,040.80. The claim against the other driver was amicably resolved before suit was filed for the entire available policy limits for the other driver. The case took place in Adams County, PA.

Gerry Kramer won a $950,000.00 suit in Perry County for a motor vehicle accident. The personal injury action for a wrongful death was filed on behalf of a 19-year-old female killed in the accident. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle that left the roadway striking a fixed object.

Scott Cooper settled a wrongful death claim for $742,000 on behalf of a the estate of a trash worker killed in a car accident in Franklin County. The case was amicably resolved for all of the available insurance policy coverage for the other driver and under insured motorist carrier. Also, Mr. Cooper was able to amicably resolved all subrogation interests with the worker's compensation carrier for a lump sum and agreement for the subrogation claim to be waived in full.

Gerry Kramer won a $215,000.00 personal injury action on behalf of a drunk driving victim in York County. The victim was a 56-year-old man who was struck by drunk driver in Lancaster County, PA. He suffered a subdural hematoma which resulted in severe headaches.

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